Heatwave forces cancelled bus services

CANBERRA’S recent hot weather has led to mechanical faults on several ACTION buses, forcing over 40 dropped services during peak hours.

Director of Public Transport James Roncon says 29 services were dropped during this morning’s peak (out of 726 services) and 23 were dropped yesterday morning.

“While ACTION incorporates a reserve of spare drivers and buses into its network and we utilise mini vans wherever appropriate, we have unfortunately had to drop services this week, particularly during the morning peak (7.30 am to 9 am),” Mr Roncon says.

“Workshop staff are working extended hours and we have been able to maintain service levels during the school holidays as the demand on the network is much lower, but now that school services have resumed we require more buses.

“ACTION’s first priority is to ensure school services run so they have all been, and will continue to be, serviced. We also aim to service all the popular peak routes.”

Mr Roncon says it is likely that service disruptions will continue this week.

“For passengers with a Twitter account, we recommend you follow @ACTIONBusAlerts for live service updates during the morning peak. Passengers can also call ACTION on 13 17 10,” he says.

Mr Roncon said that ACTION is currently replacing its bus fleet which will help to minimise issues during future extreme hot weather.